England Dominates India in Fifth Test with Stellar Bowling Performance

England Takes Control in Fifth Test Against India

On August 1, during the second day of the fifth Test at The Oval, England's pacer Gus Atkinson delivered an impressive five-wicket haul, while an explosive 92-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley put India on the defensive.

By the end of the session, England stood at 109/1, with Crawley not out on 52 and Ollie Pope contributing 12 runs. They are trailing India by 115 runs.

India began day two at 204/6, with Karun Nair (52*) and Washington Sundar (19*) at the crease.

The pair started strong, each hitting a boundary off Josh Tongue in the opening over of the day.

Nair faced a close leg-before-wicket call against Atkinson but was eventually dismissed by Tongue for 57 runs off 109 balls, including eight boundaries. The ball, which initially appeared to be going down the leg side, sharply nipped back in, striking Nair's knee roll. India was then at 218/7, concluding a 55-run partnership.

Sundar followed suit, caught at deep square leg by Jamie Overton, falling to Tongue for 26 runs off 55 balls, which included three fours. India was now at 220/8.

Atkinson continued his impressive form, taking out Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, completing his five-wicket haul as India was bowled out for 224 runs in 69.4 overs.

Atkinson's figures were remarkable at 5/33, while Tongue supported with 3/57, consistently disrupting India's attempts to build substantial partnerships.

In their first innings, England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, showcased aggressive batting. Crawley found multiple boundaries against Siraj early on, while Duckett unleashed a barrage against Akash Deep, scoring three fours in one over. A ramp shot over the covers by Duckett marked England's fifty.

Duckett and Crawley continued their assault, with Duckett eventually caught behind by Dhruv Jurel off Akash Deep for 43 runs from 38 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. England was at 92/1 after 12.5 overs.

England crossed the 100-run threshold in just 14.4 overs, with Crawley reaching his 19th Test fifty in 42 balls, hitting 12 fours along the way.

Both Crawley and Ollie Pope ensured that England did not lose any wickets until the session concluded.

Brief Scores: England: 109/1 (Zak Crawley 52*, Ben Duckett 43, Akash Deep 1/46) vs India.